Exercising apparatus for correcting deformities.



PATENTED AUG. 7, 1906.

F. LANGEL. EXBRGISING APPARATUS FOR GORREGTING'DEFORMITIBS.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 22. 1905.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

PATENTEi) ,AUG. 71. 1906. F. LANGEL. EXERGISING APPARATUS FOR oomanc'rme. DEFORMITIES.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 22. 1905.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

ail/ 127 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FRANZ LANGE L, OF COLOGNE, GERMANY.

E X E R 0 I81 NZG AP PA-RAT U-S F0. F1" GOR R'E'CT I NG D E FOR IVH Tl ES Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 7, 1906.

T0 on whom it mag concern.- Be it known that I, F RANZ, LANGEL, a subject of the King of Prussia, German Emperor, residing at Cologne, in the Province of the Rhine, Kingdom of Prussia, German Empire, have invented a new and useful Exercising Apparatus for Correcting Deformities, &c., of which the following is a specification.

This invention has for its object improve.- ments in apparatus such as is described in the specification of United States Patent No. 714,309 for stretching or straightening legs, 850. Such apparatus consisted of a .block provided with straps or the like towhich the feet were so fastened that when the heelswere laid together the feet stood ataboutone-rhundred and eighty degrees to oneanother. The block was laid on achair-or the like and was drawn to and fro-by the patient as he stretched out and drew in his legs alternately. Such apparatus is not effective, especially when it is a questionof correcting peculiar deformities of the legs, because, first, in order :to lighten the exercise the patient involuntarily turns the movable block into a wrong position, thus rendering the apparatus largelyuseless, and, secondly,;because the feet and legs must be held in the proper positions, which cannot be effected by the simple blockalone.

According to the present invention the block is arranged on a frame and is positively guided, while in connection with the block devices are provided for giving the necessary positions to the feet and legs for removing the deformities.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of the whole apparatus. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the sliding block. Fig. 3 is a section through the apparatus on the line A B of Fig. 1. Figs. 4, 5, and 6 are detail views. Figs. 7 to 12 show diagrammatically the use of the block with the feet and legs in several different positions. Fig. 1.3 is a perspective view of a device which is used in place of the block for particular purposes and otherwise is used in the apparatus of Figs. 1 and 3 just as the block is used. Figs. 14 and 15 show the use of this device with broken legs and the like. Fig. 16 shows the use of the device of Fig. 13 with short limbs. Fig. 17 shows the use of the same device for correcting fiat-footedness.

Figs. 1 to 3 show how a block 1, which in itself is already known from United States Patent N 0. 714,309, is provided beneath with guiding-lugs 2, which engage under the rails 3 of the frame 4, so that the block is always positively guided in a horizontal: position. On frame 4isprovided a folding seat 5with aback '6, the arrangement being such that when the 1 seat is raised the block can be removed from theopening so left and can be again pushed onto the guide-rails therethrough. The pa tient takes seat, and his feet are strapped tightly to .the block 1.v The exercise is brought about by pushing and pulling the block to and fro, while correct action is in- 1 sured because the block cannot become tilted or -turned,especially owing tothe fact that the guide-lugs 2 are extended forward and backward.

The advantage of the positively guided block is especially noticeable when peculiar deformities are torbe corrected. If, for example, feet which are too much turned inward are to be spread, inclines 7, Fig. 7,

sloping toward the center, are laid on the lowest stage of the block, engaging by dowof Fig. 9 is adopted, in which latter the feet are laid in the known manner on the second stage of the block. Finally a small piece 8, Fig. 10, is-laid on the summit of the second stage and is held by dowels and slots. By this meansthe feet are bent farther past the angle of one hundred and eighty degrees than can be effected by the device of Fig. 9

alone. If bow legs are to be treated, the piece 8 is fixed on the lowest part of the block 1, while the feet are so strapped to the same that the piece 8 lies between the heels, Fig. 11. The pressin together of the knees is thus facilitated. If the patient is knockkneed, the block 9, Fig. 6, curved inward at both sides, is fastened to one leg by the straps provided on said block and is pushed between the knees, while the feet are attached to the block in any of the ways, .according to circumstances. The knees are thus forced outward during the moving to and fro of the sliding block 1.

Fig. 13 shows a device for use in place of the block 1. The device is used like the block 1 that is to say, it works ,by guide-lugs 2 in the frame 4-and the engagementof said lugs with the rails 3 insures that the block shall always be positively guided in a horizontal direction. On the guide-lugs 2 is a horizontal board 10, and a second board 11 is connected to the former by hinges 17. The boards and 11 can be set at any desired angle relatively to one another by means of two iron bars 12, having holes therein. Boards 10 and 11 are provided with slots for receiving straps. For the special purpose of treating flat-footed persons an additional device is attached to board 10, consisting of two boards 13, hinged together vertically and adapted to be fixed on the board 10 by screws with winged nuts passing through the curved slots 14. In these boards 13 also slots are provided for straps. If this latter device is not to be used, it is removed.

The above-described apparatus is used in the following way: In subsequent treatment of broken limbs the feet are strapped down, as shown in Figs. 14 and 15, and by moving the legs in and out the muscles are well exercised and the desired effect is attained. Fig. 14 also shows the method of treating the feet of persons who always tread down first with the heel. By exercising in the position shown on the apparatus the upper foot-muscles are stretched, so that the point of the foot is brought downward to some extent. Fig. 15 shows the reverse case for persons who tread down too much with the toe. Here the muscles of the heel are stretched and the desired effect thus produced.

For correcting shortened legs, especially such as are caused by malformation of the pelvis, the device of Fig. 16 is employed. The short limb is strapped to the board 11, while between the normal leg and the board 11 a suitable number of pieces 15 are inserted, so that said leg lies in a bent position. If the stretching movements are now made by this latter leg, a certain pull is exerted on the short limb, so that after a time the pelvis comes again into its normal position.

For the treatment of flat-footedness, in which the person treads down first with the inside of the foot, the arrangement of Fig. 17 is adopted, the additional device being screwed on and the feet strapped to the boards 13, as is seen in Fig. 17. If then the movements of stretching out and drawing back the legs are made, the muscles at the outer sides of the feet become stretched, so that after a certain'amount of use the patient treads finally with the whole sole of the foot. With the progress of the exercising the angle between the boards is gradually re duced by adjusting the same toward one another, and the effect is consequently in creased.

What I claim is 1. A11 exercising apparatus for straightening limbs, correcting deformities and so forth, composed of a frame with horizontal guide-bars, of a seat in line with said guidebars, and of a movable feet-supporter sliding on said guide-bars and provided with means to secure the feet in positions from less than ninety degrees to more than one hundred and eighty degrees, as specified.

2. An exercising apparatus for straightening limbs, correcting deformities and so forth, composed of a frame with horizontal guide-bars, of a seat in line with said uidebars, and of a movable feet-supporter sliding on said guide-bars, composed of a slidable base board 10 and a foot-rest 11 hinged thereto, provided with means to secure them under any desired angle, and of pivotallyconnected boards 13, secured vertically but under different angles to each other upon the base-board 10, substantially as described and for the purpose set forth.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

FRANZ LANGEL.

Witnesses:

WILLIAM KUEPPERs,

Jon.- 801mm. 

